River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-04-21

He passed two years in the study of law,
and then entered IA banking house at
Peter head in the position OF an apprentice
to the business. In May. 1889, Mr.. Mitchell,
then in bis twenty second year. came TO the
United States, and settled in Milwaukee,
then village Of about 1890 inhabitants.
An Aberdeenshire man, possibly relative,
George Smith 10y name, had come hither
six years before to represent the interests
Of the Scottish Illinois Land Investment
company, and, in the prosecution of their
business, had become thoroughly acquainted
with the wants of the Western country.
After some hesitation between Chicago
and Milwaukee, which were then towns of
about the same size and with about equal pro-
mise of future growth, MIR. Smith decided to
establish a banking house in Milwaukee,
and calling young Mitchell 70 his aid, the
two obtained from the territorial legisla-
ture of Wisconsin a charter authorizing
them 10 establish a company TO insure
against fire and marine losses, to receive de-
posits, issue certificates and lend money.
They began business as the Wisconsin Ma
Tine and Fire Insurance company, and were
wonderfully successful from the start.
The bank was "A great success and con-
tinues at this time the largest in Wisconsin.
The story of his life is the history of Mil
waukee, the Chicago, Milwaukee and st.
Paul railway system, and 10 a large extent
of Wisconsin. iowa aud Dakota. Railroad
construction was begun in Wisconsin in
1851, 10y various corporations. operated in
dependentlv and all non-paying properties.
Through Mr. MitcLells efforts the bond
holders of the various ieopardized lines as
ISOLATED themselves together in a corporate
capacity to protect the property and im-
prove it. The Milwaukee a. 81. Paul Rail-
way company was organized May 3, lSj3.
and in II We're merged all the roads ami
their branches, Mr. Mitchell being elected
president Gradually other lines in Wis
consin, Iowa and Minnesota were added,
and in 1874 the corporation was changed to
the Chicago, Milwaukee q st. Paul railway.
TO Mr. Mitchel's fine Engagement, aided
by ). S. Merrill and his associates, is due
the success of this vast railway enterprise.
Mr. Mitchell was ln politics first a Wing.
then a Republican ana a firm supporter of
the war policies Of the government In 1868
he supported HOratiu Seymour, Democratic
candidate for president. lie ran as a Demo
crat for congress IN ISIS in the First Wis
cOnsin District, but was defeated. In 1870
be ran again and was elected, and reelected
in 1872 At the national Democratic con
ventiOR in 1876 be sUppO, ted 1lldeu. In
1879 he declined the Democratic nomination
for governor. He for years held many posi-
tions of honor and trust. In religion he
was a Presbyterian for some time. but lat
terlv was vesi ryman of st. James Episcopal
church, Milwaukee Mr. Mitchell was mar
ried Oct. :, 1871. - Miss Martha Reed, the
daughter of Seth Reed one of the pioneers
of Milwaukee, and of New England origin.
Six children were born to them, but five Of
these died in infancy--John l. Mitchell, the
survivor, being chairman of the Democratic
state central committee.
In his personal life he was most I'M
ostentacious, easy of approach and simple
in his habits of life. With genuine Scotch
nature he always retained bis love for
athlethic sports, and was q patron of
curling and of the annual games If the St
Andrews society He was rather short
and heavy-set, with full face, with beard
around beneath his Jaw entirely surround
ing the face. he maximum estimate upon
his estate is Sl2 ,OUO 100. though it NAV not
quite reach that sum, and the greater
amount thereof is in his bank property and
real estate holdings.